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Verstappen labels 2024 a 'frustrating year' as he discusses challenges
The recently crowned F1 world champion, Max Verstappen, has reflected upon the demotivating moments of the 2024 season. Although the Dutchman secured his fourth consecutive title in Las Vegas, it hasn't been an easy year for himself or his Red Bull team. The 62-time Grand Prix winner revealed how he maintained a strong mentality and stayed calm in the difficult stages of the 2024 season.
On paper, Verstappen hasn't had the fastest all-round car on the grid since the Miamia Grand Prix, which was Lando Norris' first win of his career and the start of McLaren's rise to the top this year. The RB20 regularly fought with Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari. As a result, Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc were edging closer to the Dutchman in the World Championship, who managed to stay consistent in the hard times, meaning he was still picking up points. Verstappen practically cemented the title after a masterclass in Brazil by winning from P17 in the rain. Fifth place in Las Vegas was enough to secure his fourth world title with two races still to go.
Verstappen: 'When I'm in the car, I just try to do everything I can'
Between Red Bull's celebrations, Verstappen took some time to speak to the press in Las Vegas. The world champion was asked about how he stays mentally strong in the car. "For me personally, I don't really ever think about the mental side because for me that's not really... for me when I sit in the car, I just try to go flat out, do everything I can, and when I come home, I want to focus on other stuff," the Dutchman said. Verstappen has always been known for his 'cool' persona, which has doubtlessly helped him achieve so much success in the high-pressure world of F1.
"At times, of course, it's quite frustrating when you've had such a run of results last year, you come into this year, and it's, again, going quite well. Of course, I always thought to myself already, after last year, I didn't expect another year like that. Those things rarely happen. But then, at one point, the car is also just really difficult to drive. And then it was about just working together with the team. Because when you have these tough moments, it can also be very demotivating," Verstappen admitted.
In some moments, Verstappen felt the need to 'keep it together'
Verstappen collided with Lewis Hamilton on the way to fifth place in Hungary. In Monza, he stated that he was not going to win any more races in 2024 after finishing sixth, and in Azerbaijan, he finished fifth and was off the pace of his rivals once again. The important thing here was that Verstappen was scoring consistent points. Despite the trials and tribulations, he managed to keep his car on the track.
"Those moments are actually very important to keep it together and actually work harder and try to understand what is going on. Because in those moments you give up, you are going to give up the championship as well," Verstappen concluded.
This article was written in collaboration with Jeroen Immink
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